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Job Overview
To deliver an efficient and cost effective catering provision to patients, staff, visitors and special function guests.
To prepare, cook and despatch meals as per menu / official guidelines ensuring that the food is prepared in a safe and hygienic manner using standard recipes with all practices fully meeting relevant legislation. Also to instruct less senior grades of kitchen staff as and when required.
Main duties of the job
Preparing/pre-wrapping/date stamping/pricing as appropriate of menu items, eg full meals, salads.
Preparing, processing, and / or cooking of food items as required by the menu, or by instruction from senior catering staff.
Ensuring meals produced meet the required quality and are prepared in accordance with standardised recipes
Service of patients meals via the conveyor belt system, where applicable or hotplate
Ensuring meals are chilled and stored at correct temperature and comply with regulations and procedures regarding temperature control
Ensuring meals are attractive in appearance and well presented prior to service or storage
Preparing and cooking meals as near to meal service time as possible where applicable.
Using methods of cooking that assist in retaining maximum nutritional content in meals provided to help ensure the speedy recovery of patients.
Preparing of special diets as required.
Serving and/or despatching of meals for patients, staff, visitors and special function guests
Operating a variety of equipment, e.g.computerised ovens, meat slicing machine, high pressure steamers etc.
Using knives and other cutting equipment correctly.
Cleaning of work surfaces and specific equipment, e.g. meat slicers, after use
Clearing away and cleaning down after food preparation and after service in accordance with daily cleaning schedule.
Maintaining agreed standards of food hygiene at all times.
Working for our organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Random visiting of wards and departments where food is served to check quality, quantity to communicate with patients and respond to comments on the service provided.
Contributing to a cost effective service by ensuring economic use of commodities and other resources under your direct control/contact.
Ensuring premises are left secure on a daily basis.
Assisting in the development of new recipes and menus as and when required.
Assisting in the planning/preparing menus for functions and special occasions on a weekly basis.
Completing of required work records e.g. temperature recording.
Reporting of defects to buildings or equipment to a senior member of staff. To immediately report any incidents of pests to a senior member of staff.
Interacting with Ward and other Hospital staff via telephone and face to face.
Attending meetings with Supervisors and Managers and contributing to evaluating and future direction of catering service. Ensuring discussions are reported back to colleagues.
Providing instruction to less senior grades of staff as and when require on a daily basis.
Deputising for senior/head chef as and when designated in the absence of the senior/head chef on a day to day basis.
Dealing with telephone enquiries including requests for meals.
Responding to customer's comments, via dining rooms and at ward level.
Responsible for working as part of a team to provide efficient and effective services in a caring and professional manner.
Correctly completing ones own weekly timesheets
Promoting a professional attitude in all aspects of communication with customers e.g. patients, users of restaurant service etc.
Undertaking any training necessary to help promote the professional image of Catering Department
Ensuring strict adherence and compliance with Department of Health guidelines in terms of time and temperature control.
Displaying a professional attitude at all times including wearing correct uniform, footwear and minimum jewellery, in line with individual departmental policies and requirements. You will act in a courteous manner to all patients, staff, visitors and work colleagues.
To be fully conversant with and ensure compliance with the Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Point system in operation.
Ensuring high standards of personal hygiene in accordance with NBT policy of Food Safety and Pest Control.
Adhering to and following all Trust/national policies in relation to Health & Safety, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Manual Handling, Food Hygiene, Fire and any other legislation as appropriate.
Adhering to and following national and local policies and procedures relating to staff terms of employment and employment practice.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Must hold or be able to obtain a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene (or equivalent) within 3 months of starting employment with NBT
Qualifications
Desirable criteria
* Food Safety & Hygiene Compliance – Strong understanding of HACCP and food safety regulations demonstrated in application
Experience
Essential criteria
* Current knowledge of Healthcare Catering Procedures and Food Safety at chef level and in high-volume outlets.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Recent experience in the catering industry at high volume contract type catering with the most recent position held no later than 6 months ago
Skills
Essential criteria
* Ability to follow instructions/follow recipes
Skills
Essential criteria
* Flexibility & Reliability – Willingness to work shifts and adapt to changing demands in a healthcare environment.
Skills
Essential criteria
* Proven ability to communicate effectively with colleagues
If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.
Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.
If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel
North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.
At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT's workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.
Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.